Presented by Little Caesars Pizza, this episode features Coach Collin Moore and standout 3-sport athlete Talesha Gilmore from Collinsville High School; youth coach and IHSA official Dorion Taylor; and, the MESPY winner for 5A Football Player of the Year, Owen Lightner and his coach, Calvin Potthast of Triad.

Talesha Gilmore is one of the all-time great female athletes at Collinsville HS. A dominant basketball player, Gilmore has left her mark on the track and the volleyball program, too. She kicks off the show with Kahok hoops coach, Collin Moore, who reflects on Gilmore's career at CHS. Gilmore reveals insight into her life as a Kahok and her plans for the future as a basketball player at SWIC next year.

Next up, Dorion Taylor of Collinsville and formerly of Madison, has begun a journey in officiating this year in football and basketball. In his interview he discusses his start, what he has learned, along with sharing insight into his motivation for beginning. He also talks about his lengthy experience as a youth sports coach including experience coaching his own three children and WNBA great, Kate Martin.

Finally, we recognize the MESPY winner for 5A Football Player of the Year, Owen Lightner of Triad HS. Lightner describes his year wrecking offenses as an "edge pass rusher." He is joined in the studio by his Coach Potthast who describes what he'll miss about Lightner next year--everything! The two are joined by Integrity Spine and Joint Center's Dr. Langston, who talks about gaining weight for sports the "right way," along with describing some of the typical injuries he treats in football.

, 

6:30, confirmed, Dorion Taylor, IHSA basketball official and 5th grade girls coach.

7:00, confirmed, Coach Calvin Potthast with Owen Lightner, 5A Player of the Year

Presented by Little Caesars Pizza, episode 6:2 is a Legends Episode featuring Kahok great Bob Bone.

We start off with what Coach Bone is up to these days: "traveling...and something I'm good at --doing nothing...and spending time with my children and 11 grandchildren."

Then, we talk about his childhood growing up in Collinsville playing baseball and hoops and getting "beat up by my older brother and dreaming of becoming a Kahok."

There are so many stories in the next segment as Bone talks about his time starting for 3 years as a Kahok on the hardwood floor and the baseball diamond. He opens up and shares some amazing stories about playing for legendary coach Virgil Fletcher, and the time "the windows got smashed out when they were playing Lincoln at Edwardsville."

The next phase of Bone's life is explored, as he rewrote the basketball record books at UMSL achieving All-American status and continued to star on the diamond and in the classroom, too. He shares the time the Rivermen "held Larry Bird to 'just' 48 points!"

Coaching basketball for Bone was an "emotional" experience as he returned to Collinsville and led the Kahoks to 10 SWC championships in two decades at the helm. Bone shares his thoughts on his great rival, Edwardsville icon Mike Waldo, and he discusses the greatest player he coached, Richard Keene.

Then, he talks about being the AD at Clayton HS for 13 before retiring.

And, last, Dave asks the Kahok legend to reflect back on his life as an athlete, coach, and AD, something you won't want to miss.

Presented by Little Caesars, this episode kicks off season 6 with 5 spectacular guests including: Jim Loyet; Debbie Njai; Coach Colton Rhodes and Devin Habermehl; and, Coach Brian Short with Preston Baker and Giffen Becker.

Jim Loyet of Snap Mobile begins the show discussing his days as the AD at Belleville East, coaching track and football, and playing at Triad. Loyet shares a few of his favorite memories of his time at East, and he talks about his new position helping teams raise funds at "Snap."

Up next, Debbie Njai, proprietor of 6 local Little Caesars stores, brings by some delicious pizza and pizza puffs for tonight's guests. Njai shares what's new at Little Caesars, and she updates listeners on Black People Who Hike.

Then, we recognize the MESPY Winners for 7A Football Player and Team of the Year. Kahok Coach Colton Rhodes has led his Collinsville squad to the playoffs 4 consecutive years. He talks about that feat and discusses his leadership style. He is joined by edge rusher and TE, Devin Habermehl, who talks about his career with the Kahoks, what he'll miss about Rhodes, and playing at Northern IL University next year, where they plan to use him at fullback.

Rounding out this episode, we acknowledge the 4A Football Team and Player of the Year. Coach Brian Short is back to talk about "the greatest season in the history of Central football." Short talks about taking the Cougars to the quarterfinals, and he candidly talks about the "love" in the program. He brings with him to the studio co-MESPY winners for Player of the Year, Preston Baker and Griffen Becker, both of whom were first team All-State selections. Baker and Becker highlight what they'll remember from this season, how their chemistry matched their success on the field, and their plans past high school.

This episode is presented by Little Caesar's Pizza and features Richard Keene, Coach Josh Clark, Brooke Hemken, Reagan Schneider, Jadin Johnson and Jonathan Zawitkowski.

We kick things off with Kahok and Illini basketball GREAT Richard Keene. Keene, who is going into the Kahok Hall of Fame in a couple weeks, updates listeners on his life in Houston rearing 3 D1 athletes, and he talks about his time playing for Bob Bone at Collinsville and playing for Lou Henson at Illinois.

Next up, we talk with Josh Clark, the coach of the Staunton Jr. High 7th Grade Girls Basketball Teams, which just completed a perfect season culminating in a state championship! Clark is joined by players Brooke Hemken and Reagan Schneider. The girls discuss their amazing season, and they describe playing for the always positive Coach Clark, who ends every pep talk with, "I love basketball, and I love all of you!" The girls give a s/o to Mr Smitty for being a great teacher.

Last, we talk SIUE club sports with a couple of the guys from the Ultimate Frisbee Team. Jadin Johnson and Jonathan Zawitkowski are hyped about their sport, and they share their thoughts on what makes it great, and what you should know about it!

We recorded this episode at the Belleville East Winter Classic Basketball Tournament presented by the Bank of Springfield, and we are calling it "the Great 8" because we had 8 amazing guests: Michael Harrison Jr., Steven Stock, Dr. Malcolm Hill, Joe Muniz, Camron Lowery, Erik Huber, Joe Nesbit, and Amanda Kemezys.

Belleville East Football Coach Michael Harrison Jr. kicks off the show with his thoughts on his most recent football season. He explains why his crew wasn't satisfied with making the playoffs for the third consecutive season, and he shares his lofty goals for the future.

Up next, Steven Stock is becoming the "Jack Buck of Belleville." Stock began as the voice of the Lancers, but he has now taken his talents to SWIC, where he continues to improve his play-by-play skills.

Then, we are visited by Dr. Malcolm Hill, Principal at Belleville West HS. Dr. Hill shares his own athletic story, and he talks about making the transition from AP at East to Principal at West.

Next, Belleville West Athletic Director and two-time state champion coach Joe Muniz talks about the difference between the pressure he feels as AD compared to the pressure he felt coaching hoops at West.

West basketball player Camron Lowery joins the podcast next. Lowery discusses his plan for his squad to start competing with the elite in the area, and he describes playing at a school with a rich hoops tradition.

The Bank of Springfield (BOS) sponsors the tournament, and VP Erik Huber joins the show next to talk about their motivation to get involved with the event, and he shares his athletic history as a professional baseball player, and his time at Althoff HS.

Guest #7 is Event Coordinator and Athletic Director Joe Nesbit, who talks about directing this massive tournament in just his first year as AD. He details the planning , the nerves, and the teamwork it takes to make it all come together.

And, guest #8 is Assistant AD and Girls Basketball Coach from Belleville East Amanda Kemezys. "Coach K" talks about losing her voice and her team's strong season.

Finally, Belleville East student and co-host Annyca Wilson along with Associate Producer Kayla Kohlberg discuss with Dave the busy night of guests.

This episode begins with Belleville East Softball Coach Natalie Peters, who has been at the helm of the program for 21 years. As a BE alumnus, Coach Peters discusses her transition from player to coach along with her illustrious career at Florida State University.

Next up, Coach Ben Scamihorn led the Roxana Boys XC program to 22nd at the 1A state meet earning the MESPY for Team of the Year. Scamihorn talks about winning the Regional for the second straight year and what it will take to continue this success. He is joined by junior Anthony Hardin, who talks about overcoming an injury this season and his goals for this spring in track and next fall in XC.

Finally, the Waterloo Girls XC win the MESPY for 2A Team of the Year. Representing the Bulldogs in the studio, Ava Rau and Cameron Crump discuss their season at Waterloo, what they love about the sport, and what they'll miss next year. Crump, the MESPY winner for 2A Runner of the Year, talks about running at IL State University next year, and Rau shares her plan to run at Southern Indiana.

Billy Woods has been covering local sports at the Edwardsville Intelligencer for nearly half a decade; however, he has accepted a similar position in Laredo, Texas.

So, before he leaves in just a few days, Dave sat down with Billy to discuss his new position, his time in Edwardsville, his long-term professional goals, advice for writers, his best memories, and what he'll miss about the area.

Woods gets honest and personal as he describes his personal strengths, humble beginnings, and the support from his girlfriend Jessica and Joy the cat.

Finally, he describes the community's emotional reaction to his move, and the effect that has had on him. You won't want to miss this episode.

The last episode of 2024 begins with Navy XC and Track runner Justin Mumford. The Wesclin HS graduate is back to talk about life at Annapolis. Mumford details his daily activities, his big plans for his career and beyond, and he expresses his pride about being a student at the Naval Academy.

Next up, we talk O'Fallon THS Softball with Head Coach Jamie Corbier and Assistant Coach Ally DeFossett. The pair talk about being friends and their shared dream of coaching together, which actually began when they were both playing at OTHS! DeFossett and Corbier describe their respective roles and what it's like coaching where they went to high school.

Finally, we recognize Triad MS 7th Grade Girls Basketball, which recently finished 2nd at the IESA State Tournament as our Integrity Spine and Joint Center Team of the Month. The team is represented in the studio by Coach Tony Cameron, who is joined by players Olivia Smock, Brianna Rakers, and Lexi Cameron. Coach Cameron talks about coaching the girls and how "quickly they learned" this season. The girls talk about the fun they had ("bus rides"), the other sports they play, their athletic plans for high school, and playing for Coach Cameron.

This show begins with the MESPY winner for Female Swimmer of the Year, Alyssa Albertyn of O'Fallon THS. Albertyn, who medaled in two events at state this year, describes her life-long love of swimming, her season, and her lofty goals for her future. She is joined in the studio by her coach, Karin King. King describes coaching Ablertyn and what she has meant to the program.

Next up, we are joined by Lincoln (Edwardsville) Middle School Girls Basketball players Morgan Whitehead and Elle Willenborg and Coach Amber Gieseking. The team finished second at state last weekend and the girls talk about their fondest memories from their recently-completed season. Coach Gieseking describes how this group "kept her calm" with their maturity and love of the game.

Up next, Larry and Nancy Suhre of Oak Brook Golf Club stop by to discuss being in the golf business for 50 years. They describe building the course in the early 70's, their lifetime of support for the golf community, and their best memories during that half century. The Suhres, who will be inducted in the Edwardsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame this February, describe their emotions accepting that honor.

Lastly, Dan Brynildsen and Jenna Holder of Play It Again Sports Edwardsville stop by to talk about the great deals at the story with just one day left in the Christmas shopping season. Dave and Dan discuss the benefits of shopping locally, and Jenna shares insights into life on campus at Murray State University. Additionally, Dan offers a special deal for anyone stopping in the show tomorrow who mentions the Metro East Sports Podcast!

This episode features two of the area's top young coaches: Dylan Dudley of Alton High School Boys Basketball and Cortney Walker of Mater Dei Girls Volleyball.

Coach Dudley kicks off the show to talk about the Redbirds' hot 8-1 start, becoming a first-time dad, creating the "everyday dudes" culture, and working with "adaptive PE" and how that experience has changed his life. Dave insists that Coach Dudley looks like Ben Affleck and both suggest that everyone spend their holiday money in the Metro East.

Next up, Cortney Walker led the Mater Dei Girls Volleyball team to a state championship in her first year as Head Coach this fall. It was the 9th in program history, and Walker discusses being the first "non-Rakers" to coach at the school and what she learned from program founder, Fred Rakers. She also talks about managing a busy schedule as a nurse, mother, and coach; she gives "a lot of credit" to her husband!